First it was “decider,” which quickly took its place in the language after President Bush used it to describe himself earlier this spring, and has even inspired an action hero comic strip on “The Daily Show.” Will Bush succeed in doing the same thing with "suicider," which he used four times other day as shorthand for “suicide bomber” in a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert? Those who keep track of Bushisms say it’s not new, though, tracing his first use of it to 2002.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The release of “The Da Vinci Code” movie has revived speculation that Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., is associated with the secretive religious group Opus Dei, whose members play the heavies in the story. A Rolling Stone profile of Brownback early this year had explored apparent connections. But spokesman Brian Hart told The Hill newspaper: “Sen. Brownback is not affiliated with Opus Dei in any way. (He) is not and has never been a member of Opus Dei.” Nor is Brownback’s office talking about his views on the movie or plans to see it.
Not much wiggle room in that denial. But isn’t the first rule of membership in a secret society not to acknowledge being a member?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
With Americans living longer, it’s probably to be expected that America’s former top executives are going to enjoy long retirements, too. But it still seems like news that last week, Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale surpassed John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to live longer since leaving office than any other former president and vice president in American history — 25 years and 123 days. Retirement from the White House has its perks, but it can’t be easy to watch succeeding administrations come and go and, in your view, muck it all up.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
OK, this trend of sharing famous people’s iPod playlists is getting old, but it’s a holiday weekend, so here’s what U.S. News & World Report said is loaded on Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s: Wilco, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr. and the Fruit Bats.
Unrelated to iPods, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave up a more eclectic list of listening favorites to the British newspaper The Independent, including Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D minor, Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” (good for working out, she says), Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
There was some comfort in the assurance by state Rep. Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, that his 10-member special committee probe of the school-finance discussion by a Kansas Supreme Court justice and two state senators is “not going to be the Spanish Inquisition.” Still, it’s expected to last through July and involve 15 witnesses, possibly including Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and her chief of staff, Troy Findley. That’s a lot of time and effort for what still looks mostly like a poor choice of lunch conversation. Meanwhile, Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, is considering legal action over his request for sworn statements from Sebelius and staffers about possible contacts with the court regarding school funding. It is of concern that inquiries aimed at protecting one separation of powers (the judicial and legislative branches) appear so ready to risk another (the legislative and executive branches).
Posted by Rhonda Holman
